Easy Ways on Teaching Children the Value of Compassion

Five full-proof Methods on How to Raise a Compassionate Child

One day, a toddler was playing out in the yard when he heard a soft, pleading cry of an animal from under a bush. The child, curious, searched for the source until he located a tiny kitten shivering without its mother, caught behind the shrub. Concerned, the child tried to pick up the shaking kitten, but it refused to be held.

The young boy’s mother, carrying a piece of blueberry cupcake, opened the front door and called out her son’s name.

“Andy! Here, you’ve waited all morning for me to bake you this. I made an especially large one just for you.”

“Oh, thanks I’d love to have it mom, but I changed my mind.”

“What’s wrong honey? I thought this is what you requested all week for me to make. It’s especially for you.”

“I don’t want it to be for me. I found this scared kitty and thought it might want it instead.”

It’s been proven many times that children have a natural compassion and empathy. And while this is true, the type of environment and rules set forth still greatly affects how a child perceives his/her surroundings. How the child feels or acts toward situations and people is largely driven from their upbringing. To help raise a compassionate, sweet, and caring child, proper guidance should begin in early stages.

Here are some tips:

Be around

Part of raising a compassionate child is the understanding that a child needs his/her parents. Work may be hectic, but ensuring that your child feels secured and loved, despite other obligations, assures your child receives a healthy amount of attention. Whether it’s in the wee hours of the morning, potty time, or play time, when a child sees that mommy or daddy is around to care for them, they’ll grow up to have that same care and compassion, too.

Demonstrate good behavior day to day

Whether it’s manners, respect, discipline or patience, children mimic behaviors and they will carry these with them until they grow old. To be an effective parent, only display good behavioral influences in front of the young one. Show them how to address a person politely and remind them what’s wrong or right. Even a simple act of sweetness like talking to them in a warm tone of voice already promotes compassion for the child. These small behaviors will be ingrained in a child’s formative mind.

Teach about kindness to others

When a friend visits from work and requests a favor, or you visit the grocery store and a homeless man asks for something to eat, make it a habit to teach your child to be kind-hearted. He/she will grow up to be a sympathetic child. Teaching your child how to be caring requires you to remind your child daily in the littlest ways that kindness is indeed a deed that goes far. Give a homeless person some donations once in a while, treat your neighbors with a home-baked goodie, and visit a few charities a year. Simple and kind gestures bring about the kindness and compassion of your dear one.

Instill friendship

Friendship is an important factor in every person’s life. Friends are there to console you as they are to laugh with you. At an early age, teach your child that to be nice to other children is to help them, share food or things with them, be genuinely interested to play with them, and not backbite them. A child will develop an innate compassion and care for others by the time they’re old enough to make their own judgments of the world.

Inculcate the importance of responsibility

Responsibility is a very important trait in developing the values of compassion in children. Just because your child is young, it doesn’t mean they’re excused to perform some minor chores from time to time. Teach them to be responsible. Requiring a child to help with simple household chores, like refilling the pet bowl, will physically, mentally, and emotionally prep your child to becoming a dutiful individual with any task or responsibility they are to encounter in the future.

Parenting does not always have its ups but know that this shouldn’t stop you from raising an empathetic son or daughter who respects rules, and respects and cares for others most of all. It all begins in the household. Be a good teacher!

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